It can be argued that no other animal possesses the intellectual might of humans. However, it should be noted that the expression “smart but stupid” has also been coined to describe much human behavior. In this course, we will attempt to come to grips with this conundrum. In doing so, you will be exposed to traditional approaches to the study of intelligence, in addition to theories dealing with how people can generate foolish behavior even though they may seem to be “intelligent” in other respects. We will then focus on approaches to strategic self-control as a way of bridging the divide between intelligence and foolishness. An overriding goal of the course is to qualify if not dispense with narrow definitions of intelligence that assume effectiveness only in the academic domain.

NOTE: Data maintained by department in Wolverine Access. If no textbooks are listed below, check with the department.

Note:

The course will have a ctools site associated with it, where you can download articles. However, you will need to get the following book: Sternberg, R.J. (2003). Why smart people can be so stupid. Yale University Press: New Haven, CT.

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.